April 28, 2011

Casino owner Ronnie Gilley is now the third gambling supporter involved in the state’s federal public corruption case to plead guilty. He was the leading force behind Dothan’s Country Crossing entertainment center, which included a slot machine-style gambling business.

On April 22, Gilley pleaded guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy, bribery and money laundering, according to The Birmingham News. Eleven other counts against him were dropped during the negotiations.

“I’m sorry, I’m wrong,” Gilley said, according to The News.

In 2009 and 2010, Gilley promoted legislation that would have legalized and expanded slot machine-style gambling. The public corruption investigation stemmed from gambling supporters’ attempts to illegally influence legislators to pass the bill.

Now, according to The News, Gilley “could be a key witness [against] VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, two sitting state senators, two former state senators and others who tried to buy and sell votes” for the bill.